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Trunk roads wait
Page 19
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!CREASED LORRY weights will not affect the Governent's trunk road programme until after the Armitage Inquiry is reported in the autumn. The House of Commons Select 3mmittee on Transport heard this last week when it took ridence from the Department of Transport on the Roads like Paper.
DTp deputy sectetary for ads and local transport Trevor J g h es told the Committee that could not revise its estimates traffic volumes until after the quiry reports in October.
He added that it is unlikely at commercial vehicle traffic ill alter sufficiently for DTp to .3ed to revise its estimates.
In reply to Neil Carmichael abour, Glasgow Kelvingrove), ir Hughes said he did not want comment on the possible :fects which heavier lorries light have on existing bridges. We are waiting for the rmitage Inquiry to report, and on't want to say any more.'
Peter Fry (Conservative, Welngborough) asked whether istribution costs would be iken into account in deciding hether to build a motorway or an all-purpose road. He pointed out that EEC drivers' hours and other recent legislation have made lorry speeds more critical.
Mr Hughes said that while DTp does take account of freight costs in an overall cost benefit analysis, it does not do this specifically.
He pointed out that the cost benefit analyses take account of capital cost, time savings, operational cost savings, and accident costs, but said that such factors as noise, loss of housing, loss of a view from houses, and benefits to industry could not be included in the equation. They are considered, though.
DTp says it is aiming to make its calculations more flexible, and acknowledged that it could improve upon the present computer program which is affected by rapidly changing energy costs.
Mr Hughes refused to be drawn when Mr Fry asked him if DTp would welcome being given some responsibility for roads which, at present, are the responsibility of local authorities. He said that would require changes in legislation.
Miss S. Fogarty, a DTp Under-Secretary, told Syd Bidwell (Labour, Southall) that there is a measure of cooperation between DTp and the Department of Industry to help regenerate industry.